9/11 Speech Analysis

Speeches are a fundamental asset used by presidents to capture the attention of the public and or to persuade them on a particular side of a matter. Through the proper use of diction, imagery, and other rhetorical devices many great speakers are able to grasp their audience 's attention, discuss certain topics, and at times connect with them on a deeper level. Through the use of ethos, logos, and pathos both presidents’ Bush and Obama are able to address the sensitive topic of terrorism and its effects on the United States of America and its citizens while still relating to the public 's emotions.
In President Bush 's speech he addresses the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, a day also known as 9/11. While his speech lacks the …show more content…
Obama 's speech also addresses the sensitive topic of terrorism and the effect it has on the nation of the United States of America. Obama begins his speech by reporting to the American people, and to the world, that the United States of America has conducted an operation that has captured and killed Osama bin Laden, a terrorist that was responsible of the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. By mentioning this information in the beginning of his speech in this manner President Obama is able to use logos properly and is able to show his audience the capability and the power the United States of America possesses. He goes onto mention the horrific event of 9/11 and the destruction it brought upon the country. President Obama also uses imagery in his speech by mentioning images of 9/11, “the hijacked planes cutting through a cloudless September sky; the Twin Towers collapsing to the ground; black smoke blowing up from the Pentagon” (Obama). By using this sort of imagery and descriptive diction, President Obama is able to remind his audience of the kind of destruction these attacks caused and how the state of the country during these attacks will never be